About Us

OUR MISSION

Created in the format of a Community Foundation, POISE receives funds from a variety of donors. These funds may be unrestricted, and are therefore available for broad community purposes, or donor-directed for specific purposes.

Recognizing that grassroots organizations require consistent support over a period of time, POISE identifies projects that will have significant impact on the community and provides annual grants to support those projects. POISE uses its funds:

1) To encourage creative and sustained responses to the issues and programs which have a direct impact on the Black community in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, and

2) To enhance the leadership role of Pittsburgh's Black citizens in identifying the emerging and changing needs of the community and shaping effective responses to those needs. The Foundation is thus a catalyst for change and growth in the Black community.